So how would 49ers players react if the team had an openly gay player?

That question was put to the 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh by The Chronicle, and published in a digital-magazine article in November 2012.

The responses were fascinating back then. But looking back at those interviews now, it became even more relevant in light of Sunday's news out of Missouri, where defensive end Michael Sam announced he is gay. Sam is an NFL prospect, projected to go in the upper to middle rounds by some. And that could land him in Santa Clara, with the 49ers. Or any other NFL team, for that matter.

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"I have no discrimination in my heart," Harbaugh said at the time. "I ask all players to play through their own personality and be who they are. What you ask of a player is to be a great team player and be a good player. My expectations (of a gay player) would be the same."

When asked if a gay player would be accepted by the team, Harbaugh hesitated slightly, and then said, resoundingly, "Yes."

More than 15 players were asked the same question, and most said that being a teammate trumps sexual orientation, and that few care about whether a player is gay.

-- "I have no issues," tackle Joe Staley said. "I feel like everybody should be who they are. ... I think this is a different generation. It's more accepted."

-- "To each his own, whatever makes you happy, do it. I just feel like, you shouldn't hide it," cornerback Tarell Brown said. "At the end of the day, don't be embarrassed with what you are, or what you do. If you are that way, that's you."

-- "I had a friend who came out, and I was like, 'All right, cool,' " guard Alex Boone said. "I didn't know he was gay, and he came out and it didn't change anything. We were still friends. It was cool. It was like, 'Who cares?' "

Many players said they had a relative who is gay. Others, who didn't want to be quoted, expressed trepidation about showering or getting undressed with a gay player, sentiments similar to what Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma told ESPN recently.

"Imagine if he's the guy next to me and, you know, I get dressed, naked, taking a shower, the whole nine, and it just so happens he looks at me. How am I supposed to respond?" Vilma said.

One former 49er said players should realize that they have already showered and dressed in front of a gay teammate. They simply don't know it, because most gay athletes stay closeted.

Sam said he had no issues with his teammates at the University of Missouri in the locker room or the showers when he came out to them before the 2013 season.

That doesn't mean it will be a smooth transition for Sam in any NFL locker room.